Make Every Effort:
Pursuing Excellence In Christian Discipline

September 29, 2024
Getting Started

1. Salvation is by grace, through faith.

2. Grace to “will” and Grace to “obey.”

3. Grace is: “God’s good will toward us and His good work within us.”

4. So, we have these cautions…

• Good works cannot save us (intimacy, peace, witness, reward).
• Though essential, Discipline is the least of the expressions of love.
• Christian excellence requiresdiligence and persistence.
• “Extra Effort” is not always outwardly successful, even when it is successful it often does not show immediate results (Fruit).

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1. Make Every Effort to Walk in Holiness.

“…make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.” 2 Peter 3:14

Maturing Christians understand the connection between “salvation by grace” and “true works of righteousness.” In fact, one does not exist without the other.


2. Make Every Effort to Obtain and extend forgiveness.

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men…see to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15


3. Make every effort to keep life simple.

“Anyone who enters into God’s rest also rests from his own work just as God did from His. Let us make every effort to enter into God’s rest.” Hebrew 4:11

Though our ultimate rest will be in Heaven, there is a level of spiritual, emotional, and physical rest available in this present day to every Child of God.

A. Connect - by living according to God's design, purposes, and principles while being energized by the Holy Spirit.

B. Confidence - by remembering there is nothing I can do to make Him love me more; there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less.

C. Celebrating - by celebrating what Richard Exley calls “The Rhythm of Life.”

· Worship: a life in God of increasing quality involving worship, prayer, Scripture, thanksgiving, etc.

· Work: we live purpose-filled lives. Note: work-even hard, difficult work-is not the curse, nor is it even part of the curse. Work that is unfulfilling is part of the curse (“by the sweat of your brow”).

· Rest: a life of meaningful reflection; a note about amusement.

· Play: a life of joy.

D. Cultivate - by committing to the “Know, Grow, and Sow” principle (John Maxwell).

· Know - know God and know that God has a meaningful plan for each life. You are the object of His great affection.

· Grow – grow in His grace; develop Christ-like character.

· Sow – invest into the lives of others. “Freely you have received, freely give!”

E. Cooperation - by cooperating with God; by pursuing His plan for your life.


4. make every effort to be an encourager.

"Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification." Romans 14:19

· “Please.”

· “Thank you.”

· “I’m sorry.”

· “I was wrong.


5. make every effort to be a peace-maker.

Let us make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3

Life can become cruel and burdensome. God places us within families in order to double our joys and halve our sorrows.


6. make every effort to keep growing in god.

“…make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.” 2 Peter 3:14
Remember the “Means of Grace.”

A. The Scripture


B. Prayer and Worship


C. The Fellowship of Believers (church attendance)


D. Christian Service – The Dead Sea Principle


E. The Indwelling Holy Spirit – The Replacement for Jesus in the Flesh



Remember the “Tenses of Salvation.”

I am a work in progress.

Spirit: I was saved in my eternal spirit.

Soul: I am being saved in my mind, will, emotions.

Body: I shall be saved in my physical body.



Remember that Salvation means “Restoration to Wholeness.”



Practical Disciplines

A. Spend time in the Presence of Jesus.


B. Keep your devotional life vibrant.


C. Find a mentor to learn from (take in).

A disciple to invest in (give out).

A friend to walk with (be accountable as you share the journey).